CHINESE researchers have successfully developed the country’s first carbon-based nuclear battery, which they claim can function for up to a century without recharging.
This ultra-long-lasting battery, designed to last 50 years under normal conditions, could potentially extend its lifespan to over 100 years in extreme environments.
The innovation is attributed to the use of carbon-14, a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 5,730 years, which theoretically allows the battery to last thousands of years.
The battery is poised to revolutionise the powering of pacemakers, spacecraft, and devices in harsh environments such as polar regions and the deep sea.
Its green and low-carbon characteristics are expected to bolster China’s new energy sector.
The technology, developed by Northwest Normal University in collaboration with Wuxi Beita Pharmatech, also has applications in healthcare and space exploration, providing continuous power without maintenance needs.
This breakthrough follows recent advancements in carbon-14 technology, including China’s mass production of the isotope and the development of a carbon-14 diamond battery by scientists at the University of Bristol.
The new battery’s capabilities include enduring extreme temperatures and supporting large-scale sensor networks, making it a significant step forward in micro-power solutions.
-BTS Media
